Who needs a tow?

Sadly I do. My poor car is sitting at a repair shop as we speak awaiting its fate in the morning.

I went to small group tonight and after all the kids left, I headed home myself. Except my car would not start. Must be the battery I thought. "No biggie. I know how to handle a battery. But wait, why are my lights working and why is my radio on... That's not right. Not if it is my battery."

I began to freak out when I realized I was in uncharted territory and immediately called my father. He headed my way as I began to brainstorm potential problems. My best guess is that my alarm is malfunctioning. The alarm has a fail safe that prevents the car from turning over/starting if the alarm is set. My alarm appeared to be turning off properly but maybe it wasn't disengaging the kill switch.

As I was thinking through my options the small group family whose house I was in front of left for dinner and asked if I needed help or wanted to join them. I told them my dad was on the way. Not to worry. And to have a great dinner! I then sat in my car and tried again to think of anything I could do to fix my car.

About a minute later a cop pulled up and asked "What seems to be the problem?" I told him all about my alarm idea and that I hoped if I disconnected the battery the alarm would work once reset. He thought it was a good idea (truthfully I think he was impressed that I knew anything about cars) and moved his car in front of mine to shine his spotlight into my car. I figured if I had to be "spotted", I wanted car trouble to be the reason.

He tried to help me disconnect my battery but neither of us had the right tools so he jumped my car while waiting for my dad. I was 99.9% certain this would do nothing, but it was worth a shot. Unfortunately I was right and the jump didn't help. I also called my mother and asked her to google "black widow alarms" and see if there is a way to disconnect the alarm or reset it. She told me what she red online and I tried it to no avail. By that time my dad was close and the very nice officer stayed with me until my father arrived. While we were talking I discovered he patrols the neighborhood and my small group father (whose house I was in front of) had called him and asked him to stay with me until my father arrived. I thought this very nice.

When my father arrived we thanked Mr. Nice Policeman profusely as he left and began working on disconnecting my battery. After sufficiently draining its juice and reattaching it, I was hopeful... But nope. My car still would not crank.

Sadly I admitted defeat and called a tow truck. I highly recommend Gold American Express' Road Side Assistance. Very professional and cordial customer service representatives. The tow truck driver arrived 45 minutes later and worked quickly but carefully. My father and I followed the tow truck to the repair shop where my car is sitting tonight awaiting the prognosis.

I am praying for a cheap fix! A very cheap fix!!!